Dr. Kenny Corscadden, Lethbridge Polytechnic’s vice-president – academic and research, has been honoured with a Blackfoot name.
The name Itsspioh’kitopi (Rides Amongst) was presented by Blackfoot elders Betty Ann Little Wolf (Anatsi'piiksaakii/Pretty Bird) and Maurice Little Wolf (Iinak’aapi’si/Little Wolf) at the Stone Pipe Days powwow March 26.
Maurice Little Wolf says it took him about two weeks to “trace” Corscadden’s history at the polytechnic for the name to come to him, adding, “when you name someone, you pass some of the luck and knowledge from your own story to the person being named.”
Itsspioh’kitopi refers to the many years Corscadden has worked in education “riding amongst” the campus community, creating paths and guiding people in their post-secondary journeys. It also acknowledges his support and sensitivity to students over the years.
“It is such an unexpected surprise to be gifted a Blackfoot name, and I am very appreciative and humbled by the honour that Maurice and Betty Ann have bestowed upon me,” Corscadden says. “I enjoy working with our students and the broader Lethbridge Polytechnic community and look forward to continuing this work now with the additional privilege of a Blackfoot name.”
Betty Ann Little Wolf, a campus Kaahsinnoonik (grandparent) and member of the polytechnic’s Indigenous Services team, says this naming was a “long time coming.” She adds it was important to have students be part of the ceremony, to wrap the Pendelton blanket, and to help put on the moccasins Corscadden was presented with.
Corscadden joined Lethbridge Polytechnic in 2017, first as a dean and then as associate vice-president for the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2018. He joined the Executive Leadership Team in January 2022.
